Crosseyed and Painless - 2005...by Talking Heads

The song title, which David Byrne came up with, never shows up in the lyric. In an interview with drummer Chris Frantz, he explained: "Crosseyed and painless is a state that we have all been in in at least one point in our lives. I think he was probably thinking of that state of intoxication." bit.ly In the music video, you'll catch Skeeter Rabbit from The Electric Boogaloos busting out a moonwalk: ttps://youtu.be/_Zrkf65GmwE

'Remain in Light' is the fourth studio album by Talking Heads, released on October 8, 1980. It was the final Talking Heads album produced by Brian Eno.

Talking Heads performed this song in the concert captured by the 1984 film "Stop Making Sense" -- the restored re-release from 2023 was magnificent, hope you got to see it on the big screen!

* CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF 1980! * 'Remain in Light' is the fourth studio album by Talking Heads, released on October 8, 1980. It was the final Talking Heads album produced by Brian Eno. The song title, which David Byrne came up with, never shows up in the lyric. In an interview with drummer Chris Frantz, he explained: "Crosseyed and painless is a state that we have all been in in at least one point in our lives. I think he was probably thinking of that state of intoxication." bit.ly Yep, that's a Moonwalk you see in the video, two years before Michael Jackson broke it out on the 1983 Motown 25 special. Skeeter Rabbit of The Electric Boogaloos does it in the video. youtu.be

Remain in Light is the fourth studio album by Talking Heads, released on October 8, 1980. It was the final Talking Heads album produced by Brian Eno.

David Byrne is 70 today - Happy Birthday! The music video for "Crosseyed and Painless" was directed by Toni Basil and, by their own request, did not feature the members of the band. Instead it featured authentic street dancers (including Stephen "Skeeter Rabbit" Nichols), chosen by David Byrne, and who were said to have chosen their own parts for the video. Yep, that's a Moonwalk you see in the video, two years before Michael Jackson broke it out on the 1983 Motown 25 special. Watch their music video here: youtu.be

Talking Heads' 1983–84 Speaking in Tongues tour — which was captured in the Jonathan Demme concert film "Stop Making Sense" — is widely considered their peak as a live band. But take a look at this footage from a 1980 Remain in Light tour stop in Dortmund, Germany, where they play “Crosseyed and Painless.” King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew is part of an extended lineup they put together for this stage show.: www.youtube.com

Talking Heads' 1983–84 Speaking in Tongues tour — which was captured in the Jonathan Demme concert film "Stop Making Sense" — is widely considered their peak as a live band. But take a look at this footage from a 1980 Remain in Light tour stop in Dortmund, Germany, where they play “Crosseyed and Painless.” King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew is part of an extended lineup they put together for this stage show.: www.youtube.com

Talking Heads' 1983–84 Speaking in Tongues tour — which was captured in the Jonathan Demme concert film "Stop Making Sense" — is widely considered their peak as a live band. But take a look at this footage from a 1980 Remain in Light tour stop in Dortmund, Germany, where they play “Crosseyed and Painless.” King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew is part of an extended lineup they put together for this stage show.: www.youtube.com

The music video for "Crosseyed and Painless" was directed by Toni Basil and by their own request did not feature the members of the band. Instead it featured authentic street dancers (including Stephen "Skeeter Rabbit" Nichols of the Electric Boogaloos), chosen by David Byrne, and who were said to have chosen their own parts for the video. Yep, that's a Moonwalk you see Skeeter Rabbit doing, two years before Michael Jackson broke it out on the 1983 Motown 25 special. Watch that music video here: youtu.be

The music video for "Crosseyed and Painless" was directed by Toni Basil and by their own request did not feature the members of the band. Instead it featured authentic street dancers (including Stephen "Skeeter Rabbit" Nichols), chosen by David Byrne, and who were said to have chosen their own parts for the video. Yep, that's a Moonwalk you see in the video, two years before Michael Jackson broke it out on the 1983 Motown 25 special. Watch their music video here: youtu.be

"The members of Talking Heads wanted to make an album that dispelled notions of frontman and chief lyricist David Byrne leading a back-up band. They decided to experiment with African polyrhythms and, with Eno, recorded the instrumental tracks as a series of samples and loops, a novel idea at the time. The artwork for the album's cover was crafted with the help of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's computers and designing company M&Co. Following the album's completion, Talking Heads expanded to nine members for promotional concerts." bit.ly

"The members of Talking Heads wanted to make an album that dispelled notions of frontman and chief lyricist David Byrne leading a back-up band. They decided to experiment with African polyrhythms and, with Eno, recorded the instrumental tracks as a series of samples and loops, a novel idea at the time. Additional musicians were frequently used throughout the studio sessions. The lyric writing process slowed Remain in Light‍ '​s progress, but was concluded after Byrne drew inspiration from academic literature on Africa. The artwork for the album's cover was crafted with the help of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's computers and designing company M&Co. Following the album's completion, Talking Heads expanded to nine members for promotional concerts." bit.ly

"The members of Talking Heads wanted to make an album that dispelled notions of frontman and chief lyricist David Byrne leading a back-up band. They decided to experiment with African polyrhythms and, with Eno, recorded the instrumental tracks as a series of samples and loops, a novel idea at the time. Additional musicians were frequently used throughout the studio sessions. The lyric writing process slowed Remain in Light‍ '​s progress, but was concluded after Byrne drew inspiration from academic literature on Africa. The artwork for the album's cover was crafted with the help of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's computers and designing company M&Co. Following the album's completion, Talking Heads expanded to nine members for promotional concerts." bit.ly

This track is categorized as having both funk and dance musical styles, and utilizes instruments and techniques such as cowbell loops, congas, bells, staccato guitar rhythms, and electronic blips. The rhythm of the song, as well as the use of the congas, add an African feel to the song, which is also apparent in their song "I Zimbra". bit.ly

In 1989, Rolling Stone named Remain in Light as the fourth best album of the decade. In 1993, it was included at number 11 in NME's list of The 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s, and at number 68 in the publication's Greatest Albums Of All Time list. In 1997, The Guardian collated worldwide data from renowned critics, artists, and radio DJs, which placed the record at number 43 in the list of the 100 Best Albums Ever.

Check out the original music video for this song, featuring street performers chosen by David Byrne: bit.ly

David Byrne of the Talking Heads will be performing at the Paramount Theater on Thursday May 24th

Arcade Fire played some Talking Heads songs with David Byrne last year in Montreal! bit.ly

Find out more on 6 Degrees of David Byrne, which is this Friday, May 19th, on the KEXP blog: blog.kexp.org

On the morning show this this morning at 9am. John in the morning will be airing an interview he did recently with David Byrne.

#421 - Anyone with a donation of $180 will get to pick two of these gifts: KEXP 'Communi-tee' t-shirt, KEXP 'Future DJ' Kids t-shirt or the brand new KEXP flask. www.kexp.org

Read about how Talking Heads' guitarist Jerry Harrison is now into crowdfunding for medical companies:www.thestreet.com

We're "Still Waiting" for more listeners like you to call and make a donation to KEXP today! Call www.kexp.org

"There are just two chords and three or four bass notes in the whole song. The beats, like much of the record, are unrelenting, but few songs on the album are as driving as 'Crosseyed and Painless.' There is even little in the way of dynamics to break up the arrangement; the 1/16 note percussion -- cowbell loops, congas, bells, staccato guitar rhythms, electronic blips -- have a cumulative, pummeling effect. There are some remarkable Adrian Belew guitar parts, which turn the idea of the rock guitar solo on its head -- sweeping, eerie textures that pan through the stereo mix. But the only substantial arrangement/construction device comes in the way of multiple vocal parts." goo.gl

I'm still waiting...also released on this day in 1980. Brian Eno produced and recorded the instrumental tracks.

Learn more about Talking Heads' concert film Stop Making Sense here on the blog: blog.kexp.org

"The members of Talking Heads wanted to make an album that dispelled notions of frontman and chief lyricist David Byrne leading a back-up band. They decided to experiment with African polyrhythms and, with Eno, recorded the instrumental tracks as a series of samples and loops, a novel idea at the time. Additional musicians were frequently used throughout the studio sessions. The lyric writing process slowed Remain in Light‍ '​s progress, but was concluded after Byrne drew inspiration from academic literature on Africa. The artwork for the album's cover was crafted with the help of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's computers and designing company M&Co. Following the album's completion, Talking Heads expanded to nine members for promotional concerts." bit.ly And here, read about a collaboration between Byrne and Eno, as well as download the song, "Strange Overtones": bit.ly

A wee Review Revue here: blog.kexp.org Please call 866-903-5397 if you enjoy these little blasts from our past!

The Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place" scored a spot in John Richards' "Friday on My Mind: Songs About Home": http://blog.kexp.org/2013/06/07/friday-on-my-mind-songs-about-home/ And this week, ending in forty minutes, we are raising money for our New Home. Want to be a part of our future? Please call 206-903-5397 or 1-866-903-5397, or go to www.kexp.org/donate to help. Donations of $500+ will get you a metal tile that will be affixed to the building that you can personalize with your own message. Also, up until 6pm, any donation will get entered to win a Golden Ticket, which will get the victor and a guest free admission to ANY show at Neumos Seattle and Barboza for an ENTIRE YEAR!

Read an album review on the Talking Heads by Levi Fuller blog.kexp.org

Showtimes for Stop Making Sense @ www.siff.net